Loved it

Great story, fantastic characterisation and brilliant narration. I really felt the tension that people experienced during this transition from Catholic to Protestantism during Elizabeth's reign. The terrible things that were done on both sides in the name of religion is horrendous.

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A brilliant story with excellent reading.

One of the best stories from Parris that I've heard so far. The reading was brilliant. If I could have given it 10 stars I would have done.
Such an exciting, intriguing story, I couldn't stop listening.

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Not just another Tudor tale.

What did you like most about Heresy?

I read, or have books read to me, for entertainment as I go about my solitary work; I am no scholar of history. These stories are very entertaining. Beneath the doings of the great and the, perhaps, not so good, of the Tudor era, there are other layers of life and ordinary beings. The author brings to her writing a strong whiff of the streets and stews, ordinary households and ordinary folk of the period , while also remaining intimately involved with the life of Court and politics. As well as locating us in the times, meeting Walsingham, Sydney and Dr Dee decorates the narrative with the larger than life, exotic characters that normally populate Tudor historical fiction - and fact. She fashions a bridge between the great and the grit and grunge of life then. Actually, quite a short space, as it turns out. One can feel the discomfort of a sopping wet travelling cloak and set it against a cup of warm, spiced wine before a decent fire in a candle-lit chamber: fetid hovels and marble halls, raddled doxies and fine ladies. And then there's the intrigue and action.

What other book might you compare Heresy to, and why?

PF Chisolm's Sir Robert Carey series. Featuring a Courtier and an ordinary man - with a regional accent - solving mysteries in Tudor England. Similar but different. And, of course, CJ Sansom's Shardlake chronicles, featuring a lawyer and an ordinary man - with a regional accent - who solves mysteries in Tudor England. Different but similar.

Have you listened to any of Laurence Kennedy’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, this is the first series I've heard. The narrator's performance is not good. No, it's MASTERFUL. This is among the best I have encountered. Laurence Kennedy has a gift: he can move seamlessly between Bruno's Italian lilt and Drake's officer-class crisp authority with a dexterity and surefootedness that would be difficult to equal. Subtleties of regional speech are pitch-perfect. And all delivered with a finely judged feel for the drama. The only minute quibble - if there has to be one - is his tendency to render the word as " mischievious". I said it was a small quibble...

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Adventures of a Tudor Poirot.

Any additional comments?

I love it - did you get that?

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8 people found this helpful

Very Entertaining!

What did you like most about Heresy?

A very well written period drama set in the reign of Elizabeth the first. Dr Bruno is an ex-communicated Italian monk who has a talent for investigation and there are plenty of murders to investigate. The story is told with good accents and is made very enjoyable by the narrator. I like Bruno and have bought the remainder of the series.

Have you listened to any of Laurence Kennedy’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The other books in the series are also very well read by Kennedy.

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly recommended.

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Fantastic story

Very much enjoyed this book. Immersive storytelling and wonderful narrator. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Historical whodunnit

If you are a fan of the Shardlake books by C J Sansom then this and presumably the rest of the series will help to fill any longings you have for "more of the same". Superbly narrated sounding a little like David Suchet when he played Poirot on TV. Would highly recommend.

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at times long winded . but story telling exciting

reluctant to put it down. great story telling a brilliant read .Bring on next book

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Heresy!!

The book begins when Giordano is a young monk. This is an introduction to the hero of our story, Giordano.

We next meet him in 1583, in Oxford, at the University. He has fled the Inquisition & arrived with a secret mission, which will benefit Queen Elizabeth - the heretic Queen Of England.

Bruno becomes tied into the discovery & resolution of a series of murders, which are not of the norm.

There is humour, romance, religion, conspiracy & danger!

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Great First Book

Outstanding start to the series - excellent narration, sympathetic characters and a gripping storyline. I look forward to the rest of the books

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Medieval Morse...

What did you like most about Heresy?

I read this book after I'd read CJ Sansom's Shardlake series. I like to read books where you get the feel of a time and place in history. Heresy as this in spades. It really gets across the fear of ordinary people living in Elizabethan times. A time that saw England run as a police state. As Elizabeth and her advisers were battling enemies from within the country as well as those outside.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Giordano Bruno the protaganist is a brilliant work of fiction...I was gobsmacked to find out that he was a real person. In fact Parris has woven a great deal of fact into this novel.

Which character – as performed by Laurence Kennedy – was your favourite?

Giordano Bruno was read really well. Kennedy gets across the uncertainty of this Italian ex Catholic stumbling from one incident to another in medieval Oxford.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book and will definitely listen to Parris's other Bruno novels.

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14 people found this helpful